Sensor cover

ABSTRACT

An assembly includes: (a) a sensor including a bolt connector, an anti-rotator configured to snap-fit into a recess, and rails; (b) a cover including a plurality of slots configured to receive the rails and being sized to leave a portion of the bolt connector laterally exposed when finally positioned on the sensor.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application relates to Design application Ser. No. 29574795,29574798, 29574799 and 29574821 all which were filed on Aug. 18, 2016,all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to sensors and sensor covers.

BACKGROUND

Existing vehicles, such as sedans or trailers, include autonomousdriving technologies (e.g., automatic parking programs or automaticsteering programs) that depend on accurate sensor measurements. Toproduce reliable measurements, sensors should be protected from damagedvia sensor covers.

SUMMARY

An assembly includes (a) a sensor comprising a bolt connector, ananti-rotator configured to snap-fit into a recess, and rails; (b) acover comprising a plurality of slots configured to receive the railsand being sized to leave a portion of the bolt connector laterallyexposed when finally positioned over the sensor.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the slots is a snapslot.

According to various embodiments, the snap slot includes a tongue andlip configured to snap fit over an end of one of the rails.

According to various embodiments, at least two of the slots are snapslots.

According to various embodiments, the snap slots are located on opposingsides of the cover.

According to various embodiments, the tongues of the snap slots havedifferent lengths.

According to various embodiments, the bolt connector defines a bolt holeand a nut sits in the bolt hole.

According to various embodiments, the nut is longer than the bolt holesuch that top and bottom surfaces of the nut protrude from the bolthole.

According to various embodiments, the rails include a first rail, asecond rail, and a third rail.

According to various embodiments, the first rail is shorter than thesecond and third rails.

According to various embodiments, the first rail protrudes from the boltconnector.

According to various embodiments, the snap slot with the longer tongueengages the first rail.

According to various embodiments, the first rail protrudes from thesensor in a first direction, the second rail protrudes from the sensorin a second direction, and the third rail protrudes from the sensor in athird direction.

According to various embodiments, the first direction is parallel withthe second direction and both of the first and second directions areperpendicular to the third direction.

According to various embodiments, the sensor comprises a power supplierwith a plurality of power supply rails.

According to various embodiments, the power supplier terminates at afirst end and at least two of the plurality of power supply rails areflush with the first end.

According to various embodiments, the cover is sized to expose at leasta portion of each of the plurality of power supply rails, such that whenthe cover is finally positioned over the sensor, the exposed rails areexternally visible.

According to various embodiments, the cover includes an attachmentribbon.

According to various embodiments, the attachment ribbon includes aflexible extension and a cylindrical hoop.

An assembly for a vehicle includes a top housing rotatable about abottom housing via a hinge; a sensor positioned between the top andbottom housings; the top and bottom housings each comprising atriangular portion that narrows into a rectangular extension portion;the bottom housing comprising raised bosses defining bolt apertures; thehousings comprising outward indentations and corresponding inwardindentations.

According to various embodiments, the top housing is rotatable about thebottom housing to an open position and a closed position.

According to various embodiments, in the closed position, the outwardindentations sit on the inward indentations.

According to various embodiments, in the closed position, theindentations cooperate to retain the top housing in the closed position.

According to various embodiments, the inward indentations aresymmetrical and the outward indentations are symmetrical.

According to various embodiments, the top housing comprises a hoodoutwardly protruding from the extension portion of the top housing.

According to various embodiments, the hinge comprises two aperturesdefined by two parts protruding from the top housing and another twoapertures defined by another two parts protruding from the bottomhousing.

According to various embodiments, a pin extends through the apertures.

According to various embodiments, the hinge comprises two retainingclips mounted on opposing ends of the pin.

According to various embodiments, the bottom housing comprises an uppersurface and the bosses are raised above the upper surface.

According to various embodiments, the sensor sits on at least one of thebosses such that no portion of the sensor contacts the upper surface ofthe bottom housing.

According to various embodiments, the sensor comprises a bolt connectordefining a bolt aperture and a nut fitted inside the bolt aperture.

According to various embodiments, the nut is longer than the boltaperture such that a lower surface of the nut protrudes from the boltaperture.

According to various embodiments, the lower surface of the nut sitsdirectly on the boss.

According to various embodiments, the bosses are offset such that thebosses are not collinear along a line extending parallel to the hinge.

According to various embodiments, the assembly includes an electricalconnector engaged to the sensor, the electrical connector including aprimary portion and a cord; wherein the top and bottom housings aresized to cover the sensor, the primary portion of the electricalconnector, and only a portion of the cord.

According to various embodiments, the top housing comprises a pluralityof outer ribs.

According to various embodiments, the ribs engage an upper sealingsurface of the bottom housing when the top housing is in the closedposition.

According to various embodiments, the assembly includes an attachmentribbon with a flexible extension and a hoop.

According to various embodiments, the triangular portions smoothly andcontinuously narrow into the rectangular extension portions such thatthe narrows do not define edges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made toembodiments shown in the following drawings. The components in thedrawings are not necessarily to scale and related elements may beomitted, or in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated, soas to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features describedherein. According to some embodiments, non-perspective views are toscale. In addition, system components can be variously arranged, asknown in the art. Further, in the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a sensor.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the sensor.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the sensor.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the sensor with a nut.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the sensor with a bolt.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a first cover.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the first cover.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the first cover.

FIG. 9a is a front perspective view of the first cover mounted to thesensor.

FIG. 9b is a side plan view of the first cover mounted to the sensor.

FIG. 9c is a bottom plan view of the first cover mounted to the sensor.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a second cover.

FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the second cover.

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the second cover.

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of the second cover mounted to thesensor.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the second cover mounted to thesensor.

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the first or second cover mountedto the sensor.

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a third cover.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a fourth cover.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the fourth cover.

FIG. 19 is a side plan view of the fourth cover.

FIG. 20 is a front plan view of the fourth cover.

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the fourth cover.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of a bottom housing of the fourthcover.

FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of the fourth cover mounted to thesensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

While the invention may be embodied in various forms, there are shown inthe drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary andnon-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention andis not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodimentsillustrated.

In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to includethe conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is notintended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the”object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of apossible plurality of such objects. Further, the conjunction “or” may beused to convey features that are simultaneously present, as one option,and mutually exclusive alternatives as another option. In other words,the conjunction “or” should be understood to include “and/or” as oneoption and “either/or” as another option.

FIGS. 1 to 3 generally shows and illustrates a sensor 10. The sensor 10may include internal electronic components configured to measure adimension, such as yaw. As shown in FIG. 1, the sensor 10 includes (a) apower supply portion 11 (also referred to as a power supplier 11), (b) abolt connection portion 12 (also referred to as a bolt connector 12),(c) an anti-rotation portion 13 (also referred to as anti-rotator 13),and (d) a main housing portion 14 (also referred to as main housing 14).

The power supply portion 11 is configured to receive a female powersupply connector 16 as shown in FIG. 5. More specifically, the femalepower supply connector 16 slides over rails 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 duntil approximately reaching the main housing portion 14. As shown inFIG. 1, the rails 11 a, 11 b, 11 c, and 11 d are flush with a terminalend of the power supply portion 11. The female power supply connector 16includes one or more first power terminals that extend into powerreceiving slot 11 e. The power receiving slot 11 e includes one or moresecond power terminals that engage with the one or more first powerterminals. The female power supply connector 16 thus provides electricalenergy to the sensor 10.

The bolt connection portion 12 is configured to receiving a bolt 17 (seeFIG. 5) therethrough to bind the sensor 10 to a separate structure(e.g., a vehicle or a trailer for a vehicle). The bolt connectionportion 12 includes a bolt and bushing hole 12 a, a first cover rail 12b, a cylindrical protrusion 12 c, and a planar surface 12 d. Thecylindrical portion 12 c cooperates with the planar surface 12 d todefine the bolt and bushing hole 12 a.

The anti-rotation portion 13 is configured to fit into and snap againsta corresponding anti-rotation feature (not shown) included on theseparate structure (e.g., the vehicle or the trailer for the vehicle).The anti-rotation portion 13 prevents the sensor 10 from twisting orrotating while a user tightens the bolt in the bolt and bushing hole 12a. The anti-rotation portion 13 a includes a tongue 13 a, a lip 13 b,and pillars 13 c. Upon insertion into the corresponding anti-rotationfeature, the tongue 13 a and the lip 13 b bend backwards until the lip13 b reaches a lip recess of the corresponding anti-rotation feature.Upon reaching the lip recess, the tongue 13 a and the lip 13 b snapforward and the lip 13 b engages the lip recess. The anti-rotationfeature is shaped as a slot that generally matches the outer perimeterdefined by the pillars. As shown in FIG. 1, the outer perimeter of thepillars generally defines an oval shape. Therefore, the anti-rotationfeature is an oval-shaped slot.

The main housing portion 14 contains the internal electronic componentsof the sensor 10. The main housing portion 14 includes a second coverrail 14 a, a third cover rail 14 b, a rectangular housing portion 14 c,and a shoulder portion 14 d. The internal electronic components of thesensor sit inside the rectangular housing portion 14 c.

FIG. 4 generally shows and illustrates the sensor 10 with a nut 15positioned in the bolt and bushing hole 12 a. The nut 15 includes a bolthole 15 a, a bottom nut protrusion 15 b, and a top nut protrusion 15 c.According to various embodiments, one or both of the bottom nutprotrusion 15 b and the top nut protrusion 15 c vertically extend (i.e.,protrude) out of the bolt and bushing hole 12 a. The bottom nutprotrusion 15 b protrudes from the bottom of the bolt and bushing hole12 a. The top nut protrusion 15 c protrudes from the top of the bolt andbushing hole.

FIG. 5 shows the sensor 10 (a) connected to the female power supplyconnector 16 and (b) receiving a bolt 17 and a washer 18. The bolt 17extends through the bolt hole 15 a of the nut 15. The washer 18 sits onone or both of the top nut protrusion 15 c and the planar surface 12 d.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show a first generic cover 100 for the sensor 10. The firstgeneric cover 100 includes features (discussed below) that may appear onsome or all of the other cover embodiments discussed below. The firstgeneric cover 100 is configured to slip over the top of the sensor 100.

The first generic cover 100 includes a bolt hole 100 a, a curved portion100 b sized to accommodate the bolt connection portion 12 of the sensor10, a corner portion 100 c sized to accommodate the main housing portion14 of the sensor 10, a U-shaped garage portion 100 d sized toaccommodate a portion of the power supply portion 11, a first slot 100 esized to accommodate the first cover rail 12 b, a second slot 100 fsized to accommodate the second cover rail 14 a, and a third slot 100 gsized to accommodate the third cover rail 14 b.

As shown in FIGS. 9a to 9c , some or all of the interior walls of thecurved portion 100 b, the corner portion 100 c, and the garage portion100 d contact corresponding exterior surfaces of the sensor 10. Thus,the inner perimeter of some or all of the curved portion 100 b, thecorner portion 100 c, and the garage portion 100 d match (e.g., areflush against) some of the outer perimeter of the sensor 10. As shown inFIGS. 9b and 9c , the first generic cover 100 exposes (i.e., does notcover) the cylindrical protrusion 12 c of the sensor 10, theanti-rotation portion 13 of the sensor 10, and some or all of the rails11 a to 11 d (e.g., at least rail 11 b is exposed) of the sensor 10.

The first slot 100 e, the second slot 100 f, and the third slot 100 gdiscourage the first generic cover 100 from twisting or rotating withrespect to the sensor 10. The bolt hole 100 a is optional since in someembodiments, the bolt 17 and the washer 18 are secured to the sensor 10prior to dropping the first generic cover 100 on the sensor 10.

As previously stated, some or all of the features of the first genericcover 100 are common or generic to other embodiments of the cover. Morespecifically, other embodiments of the cover may include the slots 100e, 100 f, and 100 g, and the bolt hole 100 a. The other embodiments overthe cover may also include inner perimeters that match (e.g., are flushagainst) some of the outer perimeter of the sensor 10. The otherembodiments may expose (i.e., not cover) the cylindrical protrusion 12 cof the sensor 10, the anti-rotation portion 13 of the sensor 10, andsome or all of the rails 11 a to 11 d (e.g., at least rail 11 b isexposed) of the sensor 10.

FIGS. 10 to 14 generally shows and illustrate a second cover 200. Thesecond cover 200, similar to the first generic cover 100, includes acurved portion 200 b sized to accommodate the bolt connection portion 12of the sensor 10, a corner portion 200 c sized to accommodate the mainhousing portion 14 of the sensor 10, and a U-shaped garage portion 200 dsized to accommodate a portion of the power supply portion 11.

The illustrated second cover 200 does not include a bolt hole, althoughvarious embodiments may include a bolt hole similar to the bolt hole 100a of the first generic cover 100. The second cover 200 includes a firstsnap slot 200 e, a second snap slot 200 f, and a slot 200 g. The snapslots 200 e and 200 f include a snap fit feature similar to theanti-rotation portion 13 of the sensor 10. Each snap fit featureincludes a tongue and a lip, similar to the tongue 13 a and lip 13 b ofthe sensor 10. The tongue of each snap fit feature is recessed from aninner perimeter 201 of the second cover 200 to receive the first andsecond cover rails 12 b and 14 a. The lip of each snap fit feature snapsto and grasps an underside of the first and second cover rails 12 b and14 a. The slot 200 g is substantially similar to the third slot 100 g ofthe first generic cover 100.

FIG. 13 generally shows and illustrates a tongue 202 a and a lip 202 bof the snap fit feature of the second snap slot 200 f. The lip 202 b hassnapped on to and grasped the underside of the second cover rail 14 a ofthe sensor 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the snap fit features of the snapslots 200 e and 200 f need not be identical. For example, and as shownin FIG. 11, the tongue of the snap fit feature of the second snap slot200 f is shorter than the tongue of the snap fit feature of the firstsnap slot 200 e. The lips of the snap fit features may be identical. Thedisparity in length of the tongues may advantageously discourage thecover 200 from flipping (i.e., rotating about an axis parallel andextending through the power receiving slot 11 e). Snap slot 200 eopposes snap slot 200 f, which advantageously discourages both of thesnap slots 200 e and 200 f from disengaging during use (e.g., rotationand disengagement of one snap slot 200 e or 200 f is opposed by theopposing snap slot 200 f or 200 e).

FIG. 14 shows the second cover 200 attached to the sensor 10, which issecured to the female power supply connector 16.

FIG. 15 shows the first generic cover 100 or the second cover 200mounted on the sensor 10 via a bolt 17, and a second washer 19. The bolt17 extends through the nut 15, the washer 18 (not shown), and the secondwasher 19. The second washer 19 includes a threaded portion 19 a and aplate portion 19 b. The threaded portion 19 a has an outer hexagonalsurface that enables tightening of the cover 100, 200 with respect tothe sensor 10. The plate portion 19 b distributes load across a topsurface of the cover 100, 200.

FIG. 16 shows a third cover 300. The third cover 300 is similar to thefirst generic cover 100 and the second cover 200. The garage portion ofthe third cover, however, extends further than the garage portions 100d, 200 d of the first and second covers 100, 200. More specifically, thegarage portion 300 d of the third cover 300 extends to cover the powersupply portion 11 of the sensor 10, when the third cover 300 is droppedover the sensor 10. The third cover 300 may include some or all of theinternal features of the first and second covers 100, 200, including theslots 100 d, 100 e, 100 f and/or the snap slots 200 e, 200 f.

As shown in FIG. 16, the third cover 300 includes an attachment ribbon301. The ribbon 301 includes an attachment point 301 a, a flexibleextension 301 b, and a hoop 301 c. The hoop 301 c is sized to fit arounda cylindrical cable 16 b of the female power supply connector 16, asopposed to a primary portion 16 a of the female power supply connector16. During manufacturing, an engineer may place the hoop 301 c about thecylindrical cable of the female power supply connector 16, and thenconnect the cylindrical cable of the female power supply connector 16 toa power source (e.g., a battery). The attachment ribbon enables a userto remove the third cover 300 from the sensor 10, without the thirdcover 300 falling to the ground and thus picking up dirt or debris. Itshould be appreciated that some or all of the other embodiments of thecover may include the attachment ribbon 301.

FIGS. 17 to 23 generally show and illustrate a fourth cover 400, whichis shaped and dimensioned to cover both the top and bottom of the sensor10 while leaving space for the female power supply connector 16. Thefourth cover 400 includes a top housing 400 a joined to a bottom housing400 b along an interface 400 c. The interface 400 c may be a flexiblegasket joined to the top housing 400 a or the bottom housing 400 b.

With reference to FIG. 23, the top housing 400 a may include a pluralityof outer ribs 412. The lower-most outer rib 412 may engage with an uppersealing surface 413 of the bottom housing 400 b. The outer ribs 412enhance the strength of the engagement between the top housing 400 a andthe bottom housing 400 b. The flexible gasket, if present, may be joinedto the upper sealing surface 413 of the bottom housing 400 b or theouter ribs 412 of the top housing 400 a.

With reference to FIG. 18, the top housing 400 a is rotatable about thebottom housing 400 b via a joint or hinge 400 d. FIG. 23 shows the tophousing 400 a in the rotated or open position. FIGS. 19 and 20 show thetop housing 400 a in the closed position (i.e., interfacing with bottomhousing 400 b). The joint or hinge 400 d may be a pin hinge 400 d with apin 401 disposed through four retainers 402, 403, 404, and 405. Firstretainer 402 and fourth retainer 405 are identically shaped and integralwith and projected from the bottom housing 400 b. Second retainer 403and third retainer 404 are identically shaped and integral with andprojected from the top housing 400 a. The retainers 402 to 405 have aflat rectangular shape. Each retainer 402 to 405 defines an aperturesized to accommodate the pin 401. According to some embodiments, theapertures of each retainer 402 to 405 are identically sized. Afterfitting the pin 401 through the apertures of the retainers 402 to 405,plastic retaining clips may be connected to the opposing ends of the pin401 to prevent the pin 401 from disengaging from any of the retainers402 to 405.

With continued reference to FIG. 18, the top housing 400 a includes atriangular portion 406 a that narrows into a rectangular extensionportion 406 b. It should be appreciated that narrowing portion is curved(i.e., does not include sharp edges) to enhance strength. The extensionportion 406 b defines a plurality of first terminal surfaces 407,including a hood 407 b. It should be appreciated that the triangulargeometry of the top housing 400 a provides room for the sensor whilerestricting the amount of room for the female power supply connector 16and thus ingress of water or dirt.

Turning to FIG. 20, the first terminal surfaces 407 of the top housing400 a are generally configured to mate or engage with second terminalsurfaces 408 of the bottom housing 400 b. Engagement of the first andsecond terminal surfaces 407, 408 discourages the top housing 400 a fromrotating with respect to the bottom housing 400 b while the vehicle isin motion.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first terminal surfaces 407 include a firstupper rounded portion 407 a and a second upper rounded portion 407 cseparated by the hood 407 b. The first upper rounded portion 407 atransitions into a first upper indented portion 407 d having a firstinward indentation or bend. The second upper rounded portion 40 ctransitions into a second upper indented portion 407 e having a secondinward indentation or bend.

The second terminal surfaces 408 include a U-shaped lower portion 408 athat transitions into (a) a first lower indented portion 408 b having afirst outward indentation or bend and (b) a second lower indentedportion 408 c having a second outward indentation or bend.

As shown in FIG. 20, the first inward indentation engages the firstoutward indentation and the second inward indentation engages the secondoutward indentation when the top housing 400 a is in the closedposition. The outward indentations are located about the inwardindentations, thus discouraging or inhibiting upward rotation of the tophousing 400 a with respect to the bottom housing 400 b. As a result, thefourth cover 400 includes a dual snap feature.

With reference to FIG. 21, the bottom housing 400 b includes atriangular portion 410 a that narrows into a rectangular extensionportion 410 b. It should be appreciated that narrowing portion is curved(i.e., does not include sharp edges) to enhance strength. The triangularportion 410 a defines a first aperture 400 b-1 and a second aperture 400b-2. The apertures are offset from each other (e.g., are not collinearalong a line parallel to the pin 401). More specifically, the firstaperture 400 b-1 is closer to the joint 400 d than the second aperture400 b-2.

With reference to FIG. 22, the bottom housing 400 b includes a boss withraised circular ribs 409 a surrounding the first aperture 400 b-1 and asecond boss with raised circular ribs 409 b surrounding the secondaperture 400 b-2. The raised ribs of the bosses (a) enhance strengthand/or toughness of the surfaces defining the apertures and (b) elevatethe sensor 10 and the female power supply connector 16 from an uppersurface 411 of the bottom housing 400 b. Elevation advantageouslyenables the sensor 10 to remain dry if water breaches the fourth cover400 and floods the upper surface 411 of the bottom housing 400 b.According to some embodiments, the upper surface 411 of the bottomhousing 400 b defines a plurality of drains (not shown) to expel water.

FIG. 23 shows the sensor 10 installed in the fourth cover 10. The sensor10 (and thus the female power supply connector 16) are elevated abovethe upper surface 411 of the bottom housing by virtue of the boss 409 a.More specifically, and with reference to FIG. 4, the bottom nutprotrusion 15 b sits on top of the first boss 409 a. The bolt 17 extendsthrough the first aperture 400 b-1. A second bolt 20 extends through thesecond aperture 400 b-2. This sensor 10 may lack the anti-rotationportion 13. According to other embodiments, the sensor 10 includes theanti-rotation portion 13 and the bottom housing 400 b defines a suitablevoid to accommodate the anti-rotation portion 13. As shown in FIG. 23,the top housing 400 a and the bottom housing 400 b are dimensioned tofully enclose the sensor 10 and the primary portion 16 a of the femalepower supply connector 16.

It should be appreciated that the polarity of the indentations isreversed in FIG. 23. More specifically, the top housing 400 a nowincludes outward indentations and the bottom housing 400 b now includesinward indentations. The outward indentations of the top housing 400 asit below the inward indentations of the bottom housing 400 b such thatthe first terminal surfaces 407 are partially encompassed or surroundedby the second terminal surfaces 408.

1. An assembly for a vehicle comprising: (a) a sensor comprising a boltconnector, an anti-rotator configured to snap-fit into a recess, andrails; (b) a cover comprising a plurality of slots configured to receivethe rails and being sized to leave a portion of the bolt connectorlaterally exposed when finally positioned on the sensor.
 2. The assemblyof claim 1, wherein at least one of the slots is a snap slot.
 3. Theassembly of claim 2, wherein the snap slot includes a tongue and lipconfigured to snap fit over an end of one of the rails.
 4. The assemblyof claim 3, wherein at least two of the slots are snap slots.
 5. Theassembly of claim 4, wherein the snap slots are located on opposingsides of the cover.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the tongues ofthe snap slots have different lengths.
 7. The assembly of claim 6,wherein at least one of the slots is not a snap slot.
 8. The assembly ofclaim 7, wherein the bolt connector defines a bolt hole and a nut sitsin the bolt hole.
 9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the nut is longerthan the bolt hole such that top and bottom surfaces of the nut protrudefrom the bolt hole.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the railsinclude a first rail, a second rail, and a third rail.
 11. The assemblyof claim 10, wherein the first rail is shorter than the second and thirdrails.
 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the first rail protrudesfrom the bolt connector.
 13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the snapslot with the longer tongue engages the first rail.
 14. The assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the first rail protrudes from the sensor in a firstdirection, the second rail protrudes from the sensor in a seconddirection, and the third rail protrudes from the sensor in a thirddirection.
 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first direction isparallel with the second direction and both of the first and seconddirections are perpendicular to the third direction.
 16. The assembly ofclaim 15, wherein the sensor comprises a power supplier with a pluralityof power supply rails.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the powersupplier terminates at a first end and at least two of the plurality ofpower supply rails are flush with the first end.
 18. The assembly ofclaim 17, wherein the cover is sized to expose at least a portion ofeach of the plurality of power supply rails, such that when the cover isfinally positioned on the sensor, the exposed rails are externallyvisible.
 19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the cover includes anattachment ribbon.
 20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the attachmentribbon includes a flexible extension and a cylindrical hoop.